EP0570776A1 - Verfahren und Vorrichtung für eine überwachte Gutschriftsmöglichkeit in einem Fernsprechgerät - Google Patents

Verfahren und Vorrichtung für eine überwachte Gutschriftsmöglichkeit in einem Fernsprechgerät Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0570776A1
EP0570776A1 EP93107412A EP93107412A EP0570776A1 EP 0570776 A1 EP0570776 A1 EP 0570776A1 EP 93107412 A EP93107412 A EP 93107412A EP 93107412 A EP93107412 A EP 93107412A EP 0570776 A1 EP0570776 A1 EP 0570776A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
subset
keypad
credit
data representing
processor means
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP93107412A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
Nicholas Jamons
Ian Edward Thompson
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Nokia Services Ltd
Original Assignee
Alcatel Australia Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Alcatel Australia Ltd filed Critical Alcatel Australia Ltd
Publication of EP0570776A1 publication Critical patent/EP0570776A1/de
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M15/00—Arrangements for metering, time-control or time indication ; Metering, charging or billing arrangements for voice wireline or wireless communications, e.g. VoIP
    • H04M15/88—Provision for limiting connection, or expenditure
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M1/00—Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers
    • H04M1/66—Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers with means for preventing unauthorised or fraudulent calling
    • H04M1/667—Preventing unauthorised calls from a telephone set
    • H04M1/67—Preventing unauthorised calls from a telephone set by electronic means
    • H04M1/673—Preventing unauthorised calls from a telephone set by electronic means the user being required to key in a code
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M15/00—Arrangements for metering, time-control or time indication ; Metering, charging or billing arrangements for voice wireline or wireless communications, e.g. VoIP
    • H04M15/28—Arrangements for metering, time-control or time indication ; Metering, charging or billing arrangements for voice wireline or wireless communications, e.g. VoIP with meter at substation or with calculation of charges at terminal
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M17/00—Prepayment of wireline communication systems, wireless communication systems or telephone systems
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M17/00—Prepayment of wireline communication systems, wireless communication systems or telephone systems
    • H04M17/02—Coin-freed or check-freed systems, e.g. mobile- or card-operated phones, public telephones or booths
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N1/00—Scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, e.g. facsimile transmission; Details thereof
    • H04N1/32—Circuits or arrangements for control or supervision between transmitter and receiver or between image input and image output device, e.g. between a still-image camera and its memory or between a still-image camera and a printer device
    • H04N1/34—Circuits or arrangements for control or supervision between transmitter and receiver or between image input and image output device, e.g. between a still-image camera and its memory or between a still-image camera and a printer device for coin-freed systems ; Pay systems
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M2215/00—Metering arrangements; Time controlling arrangements; Time indicating arrangements
    • H04M2215/01—Details of billing arrangements
    • H04M2215/0116—Provision for limiting expenditure, e.g. limit on call expenses or account

Definitions

  • This invention relates to payphones and in particular to payphones for use in secure locations, that is, locations where the payphone can be supervised so that there is little or no possibility of vandalism. Such locations would be, for example, a small business or domestic environment.
  • a disadvantage of the aforementioned key controlled subset is that with the availability of subscriber trunk dialing, international direct dialing, and the possibility of the introduction of timed local calls, the proprietor of the subset has uncertain control over telephone expenditure in certain environments.
  • proprietor owned payphones are sometimes installed for the use of customers. These payphones, being designed for unsecured locations, are relatively expensive to instal and have continuing maintenance costs. Moreover, problems sometimes arise with theft from coin boxes associated with the payphone.
  • the present invention contemplates a subset arrangement having a controlled credit facility in which the proprietor of the subset permits a user to establish a call via the PSTN from the subset after the proprietor enters a credit limit into a programmable processor means in the subset. When the credit limit is reached the processor means disconnects the connection to the PSTN.
  • the arrangement may be extended to transmissions from a facsimile machine coupled to the subset.
  • the proprietor allocates respective accounts with PIN numbers to a number of users, say various members of a household. Periodically the proprietor calls up any allocated account on a display so that charges on that account can be settled.
  • the latter arrangement could be used in a household where parents wished to control the cost of phone calls by their children.
  • a proprietor for example a real estate agent, can allocate an account and credit limits to a subset connected to a leased premises, say a holiday home, for use by a lessee.
  • the allocation of the account and credit parameters can be entered into the leased premises' subset via the public switching telephone network (PSTN) from the agent's subset. After expiration of the lease the account can be brought up and settled.
  • PSTN public switching telephone network
  • a telephone subset including a programmable processor means and a keypad means, a method of providing a controllable credit facility when allowing said subset to be used to make a telephone call via a public switching telephone network connected thereto, said method comprising the steps of:
  • a telephone subset including a programmable processor means, a keypad means, and a facsimile machine operatively coupled thereto, a method of providing a controllable credit facility when allowing said facsimilemachine to be used to transmit facsimile data via a public switching telephone network connected thereto, said method comprising the steps of:
  • a telephone subset for providing a controllable credit facility when allowing said subset to be used to make a telephone call via a public switching telephone network connected thereto, said subset comprising a keypad means and a programmable processor means which includes means to disable said subset's transmitter circuit when said subset is brought off-hook, means to analyse dial signals generated by said keypad establishing connection with a called subscriber apparatus via said public telephone switching network, means to determine a charge period of analysed dial signals, means to enable said transmitter circuit, means to periodically deduct predetermined charge units from data representing a predetermined credit limit previously entered into memory means associated with said processor means, means to periodically examine remaining credit data in memory means, and means to disconnect connection with public switching telephone network upon reaching said predetermined credit limit.
  • the arrangement comprises a telephone subset 1 coupled to the public switching network PSTN.
  • Subset 1 includes a call instigator button 2.
  • a controller 3 having an associated keypad 4 and a liquid crystal display 5.
  • Controller 3 is operatively coupled to a power supply 6, preferably a 12V supply.
  • a speech detector arrangement may substitute the call instigator button 2.
  • a remote keypad 10 may be incorporated in the arrangement shown in Figure 1.
  • Remote keypad 10 is operatively coupled to controller 3 via a known RS232 serial communication port 11, and permits the proprietor of the subset to remotely enter a PIN number or increase credit remotely.
  • controller 3 comprises a central processing unit (CPU) 7, such as, for example, an Intel 8051; a known dialled number analyser 8, and a memory means (RAM/ROM) 9.
  • CPU central processing unit
  • Intel 8051 a known dialled number analyser 8
  • RAM/ROM a memory means
  • a first output of the CPU 7 is coupled to the subset's transmitter circuit for muting transmission until the call instigator button 2 is operated; a second output of the CPU 7 is coupled to the hook switch (HS) control pin in the subset's 1 dialler chip (not shown) for selectively controlling the subset's ability to seize exchange equipment when brought into the off-hook mode; a third output of CPU 7 is coupled to keypad 4 for entering instruction in the CPU and interrogating the CPU; and a fourth output of CPU 7 is coupled to liquid crystal display device 5 for displaying information related to stored charges and credit. A further output may be provided (shown in broken lines) for coupling the CPU to a remote keypad.
  • the routine operation of a user requesting the use of a proprietor's subset as shown in Figure 1 to 3, to make, say an STD call is as follows: First, in box 1 the proprietor's personal identification number (PIN) is entered by the proprietor using keypad 4 ( Figure 1) or keypad 10 ( Figure 2); in box 2 the CPU verifies the PIN entry; in box 3 the proprietor is prompted to enter a credit limit and enters an amount via keypad 4 (10), and the credit limit data is transferred to the CPU's RAM where it is utilised to control call duration; in box 4 the CPU sets the maximum call charge; in box 5 the user lifts the handset; in box 6 the CPU mutes the subset's transmitter; in box 7 the user dials desired number; in box 8 the CPU and the dial number analyser determine the charge period and charge unit from a look-up table; in box 9 the called party answers; in box 10 the user operates the call instigator button; in box 11 if the call instigation button is not pressed within
  • a remote keypad can be located in the proprietor's area and coupled by wiring and serially linked to an input means of the subset's CPU whereby data can be entered into memory means of the CPU.
  • the proprietor creates with keypad entries individual accounts and assigns respective PIN number access.
  • a user can pre-pay an amount or the proprietor can set a credit limit which is stored in the user's account.
  • the routine operation of the creation of an account is as follows: First, in box 18 the proprietor presses a sequence of keys to enter maintenance mode; in box 19 the proprietor's PIN is entered; in box 20 the CPU checks the validity of the proprietor's PIN; in box 21 account details and allocation of credit to various users is entered, or account information cleared; in box 22 the proprietor exits maintenance mode.
  • the subset can now be used by a user having a PIN.
  • the embodiment shown in Figure 5 permits credit controlled facsimile transmissions from the arrangement shown in Figure 1.
  • this arrangement includes a facsimile means 7, a mode selector relay 8, a dual tone multi-frequency (DTMF) decoder 9, and a line control relay 10.
  • DTMF dual tone multi-frequency
  • the routine operation of a user initiating a facsimile transmission from an arrangement as shown in Figure 5, is as follows: First, in box 34 the user sets the subset for facsimile transmission mode; in box 35 the change-over relay is activated; in box 36 the facsimile machine dials the desired facsimile machine; in box 37 the dialled number is detected and analysed and charges determined; in box 38 credit availability is determined; in box 39 the call is terminated if no credit available; in box 40 the line condition is monitored as to whether call to called facsimile machine has been established; in box 41 call to be answered within predetermined time; in box 42 credit availability is checked periodically; in box 43 the facsimile machine terminates call.
  • the embodiment shown in Figure 7 comprises a connection via the PSTN of two subset arrangements A and B each similar to the subset arrangement described in relation to Figure 2 but with the addition of a DTMF decoder.
  • the proprietor of subset A for example, a real estate agent, allocates an account and credit limits to a user of subset B, for example, a lessee of a holiday house, at a remote location.
  • the flow chart shown in Figure 8 shows the routine operation of a proprietor entering credit information into the CPU 3 of subset arrangement B via the PSTN.
  • the routine is as follows: First, in box 44 the proprietor activates a down-load mode in subset A for transferring data to subset B, and enters his PIN; in box 45 PIN is validated; in box 46 subset A reverts to idle mode if PIN is invalid; in box 47 proprietor enters credit parameters and the telephone number of subset B; in box 48 the so entered credit parameters and subset B's telephone number are displayed for confirmation; in box 49 subset A's CPU causes entered dial signals to be transmitted to the PSTN where connection to subset B is established; in box 50 subset B responds to validate the connection and thereupon data is transferred between the two subsets; in box 51, if subset B does not respond within a predetermined time, subset A reverts to the idle mode.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
  • Computer Security & Cryptography (AREA)
  • Multimedia (AREA)
  • Telephonic Communication Services (AREA)
EP93107412A 1992-05-21 1993-05-07 Verfahren und Vorrichtung für eine überwachte Gutschriftsmöglichkeit in einem Fernsprechgerät Withdrawn EP0570776A1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2561/92 1992-05-21
AUPL256192 1992-05-21
AUPL364392 1992-07-20
AU3643/92 1992-07-20

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0570776A1 true EP0570776A1 (de) 1993-11-24

Family

ID=25644256

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP93107412A Withdrawn EP0570776A1 (de) 1992-05-21 1993-05-07 Verfahren und Vorrichtung für eine überwachte Gutschriftsmöglichkeit in einem Fernsprechgerät

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0570776A1 (de)
NZ (1) NZ247604A (de)
SG (1) SG44871A1 (de)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
ES2107354A1 (es) * 1994-12-14 1997-11-16 Viala Sergio Augusto Miguel Sistema de automatizacion y centralizacion de cobro de llamadas telefonicas en lugares con cualquier numero de extensiones.
EP0705019A3 (de) * 1994-09-23 1999-02-24 AT&T Corp. Überwachung und Meldung der Anrufgebühren
FR2767621A1 (fr) * 1997-08-22 1999-02-26 Schlumberger Ind Sa Telephone a cartes comprenant un programme d'acces a diverses fonctionnalites
WO2000008833A1 (en) * 1998-08-06 2000-02-17 Multisystem 2000 S.R.L. Device for enabling multiple persons to use a private telephone set and to charge the related calls to them
WO2000051320A1 (de) * 1999-02-22 2000-08-31 Stefan Bachmann Verfahren und schaltungsanordnung für ein fernmeldesystem

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4731818A (en) * 1985-12-05 1988-03-15 Communication Equipment & Engineering Co. Self-computing credit card telephone paystation method and system
EP0335768A1 (de) * 1988-03-28 1989-10-04 Schlumberger Industries Informationsübertragungssystem mit Vorauszahlung
US5008928A (en) * 1990-01-22 1991-04-16 Easyfax, Inc. Public access facsimile system

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4731818A (en) * 1985-12-05 1988-03-15 Communication Equipment & Engineering Co. Self-computing credit card telephone paystation method and system
EP0335768A1 (de) * 1988-03-28 1989-10-04 Schlumberger Industries Informationsübertragungssystem mit Vorauszahlung
US5008928A (en) * 1990-01-22 1991-04-16 Easyfax, Inc. Public access facsimile system

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0705019A3 (de) * 1994-09-23 1999-02-24 AT&T Corp. Überwachung und Meldung der Anrufgebühren
ES2107354A1 (es) * 1994-12-14 1997-11-16 Viala Sergio Augusto Miguel Sistema de automatizacion y centralizacion de cobro de llamadas telefonicas en lugares con cualquier numero de extensiones.
FR2767621A1 (fr) * 1997-08-22 1999-02-26 Schlumberger Ind Sa Telephone a cartes comprenant un programme d'acces a diverses fonctionnalites
WO1999011052A1 (fr) * 1997-08-22 1999-03-04 Schlumberger Systèmes Telephone a cartes comprenant un programme d'acces a diverses fonctionnalites
WO2000008833A1 (en) * 1998-08-06 2000-02-17 Multisystem 2000 S.R.L. Device for enabling multiple persons to use a private telephone set and to charge the related calls to them
WO2000051320A1 (de) * 1999-02-22 2000-08-31 Stefan Bachmann Verfahren und schaltungsanordnung für ein fernmeldesystem

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
NZ247604A (en) 1995-11-27
SG44871A1 (en) 1997-12-19

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